HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Illinois State volleyball team (0-2) was edged by High Point (1-1) in their second game of the JMU Invitational on Saturday afternoon, falling by set scores of 25-23, 25-22 and 25-19. The Redbirds play again later tonight against tournament hosts JMU at 7 p.m. CT.
Sophomores Kaitlyn Prondzinski and Tamara Otene led the 'Birds with 10 kills each. Prondzinski hit .500 for the match, also leading ISU with three blocks.
After a slow start in the opening set, the Redbirds battled back from a 6-0 deficit to bring the score within two points at 12-10, forcing the Panthers to use a timeout after a Sarah Kushner service ace. ISU would take the lead at 15-14 on a Otene kill before HPU went on an 8-1 scoring spree. The 'Birds continued to fight, scoring four consecutive points while holding the Panthers at set point but ultimately lost the set, 25-23.
The second frame saw 16 ties and 7 lead changes between the teams, with neither team maintaining a larger than two-point lead until set point for High Point at 24-21. Kushner paced the Redbirds with four kills in the second set, also adding a service ace.
Prondzinski and newcomer Allie Trame got the 'Birds going in the third set, teaming up for a block that would spark a 3-0 rally for ISU. HPU would even the score and a back-and-forth battle would ensue before the Panthers scored seven-straight to make it 20-16. Otene gave the 'Birds a boost, recording six of her 10 kills in set three. The Panthers ended the set on a 5-0 run to defeat ISU in three sets.
STAT LEADERS
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